Things you should know about your engine oil and how to check it

 Why is it needed?

1. A car engine has many moving parts inside running at high speeds when you are driving your car. This generates a lot of friction. To attend to this, engine oil is needed. It lubricates the engine and avoids excessive heat and wearing of parts due to friction. This means a longer life of your car parts.
2. It also keeps the engine clean as the oil carries any dust particles and debris and sends them to the oil filter where they are separated.
3. Improves fuel efficiency: The lesser the friction between the engine parts, the more easily they move and in turn give you a better fuel mileage.
4. Anti-Corrosive: Since there is a lot of heat generate in the engine, it is prone to oxidization, rust and corrosion. Additives inside the engine oil are specifically meant to prevent this.

How to Check it?

1. Refer to your car manual. Often auto car parts differ from model to model and also depend on the transmission system of the car. These days some cars have electronic engine oil indicator. For the rest, you need to check that manually.
2. For a manual check, make sure that your car is on a flat level ground and the engine is cold (depending upon your car as some car makers recommend that the oil be checked when the engine has been warmed up).
3. Open the hood of your car and reach out for the dipstick. Pull the dipstick out and wipe it with a piece of cloth. After this, insert it back into its tube completely.
4. Take it out again to read the level of oil. It should be between the two markings. The two markings indicate a low and a high level.
5. If the oil is below the minimum mark, you need to add engine oil. Also, your engine oil should be either brown or black in colour. If you see any changed colour it could be because of leaking engine coolant. And if you see any metal debris, it could be due to internal engine damage. This means you need to show your car to the mechanic.

How to add engine oil?

1. Check what grade of oil your car accepts. It is usually 0W-20 or 50W-30 and can be bought per quart.
2. Ensure the engine is not running and is cool.
3. Remove the oil filler cap of the engine
4. Using a funnel, add about a quart of oil slowly into the engine and wait for a minute
5. Take a reading with the dipstick to see the level of the engine oil
6. Add more if necessary and then close the oil filler cap